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On the Trot ■ By MORRIE KUBLANSKY I Sidewheelers Hang Up Good Times Rumley Steers a Pair to Victory Billy Wasson Equals His Own Mark MAYWOOD PARK, Maywood, 111., May 24. — A big crowd numbering 6,403 fans, who wagered 94,419 on Friday nights nine-race nine-race card card featur- nine-race nine-race card card featur- featuring the first ,000 stakes event for fast-class pacers, witnessed some outstanding performances, which is best illustrated by the fact that seven out of the nine races were timed in considerably better than 2:10. The elusive 2:05 mark, however, wasnt reached, reached, although although Billy Billy reached, reached, although although Billy Billy Wasson and Dale Wingay equalled the formers pacing record for the meeting when they won their respective races in 2:05%. Owner-trainer C. P. Rumley, one of the oldest reinsmen still active on pari-mutuel " tracks, had the satisfaction of steering two of his charges to victories, the triumph of Dale Wingay in the first heat of the featured Arthur T. Gait Pace, being the most remunerative, of course. The six-year-old son of The Abbot, a winner of 11 races in 1953, came up to Fridays race in splendid condition, and, although having finished second in his last two races, was neglected in the wagering. Starting from the No. 2 post, Dale Wingay vied with the speedy Easter Flowers for the lead and succeeded in the second quarter to maintain a commanding lead thereafter to win in 2:05% by half a length from the fast-closing Gay Order. In the second dash of this ,000 event, Dale Wingay again acquitted himself in good style, but tired slightly at the end of the mile trip to be passed by Gay Order, whose pilot, Howard Beissinger, as usual drove a heady race, conserving the five-year-olds brush for the final quarter, and the surprisingly-good Easter Flowers. On account of his second place in the first heat, Gay Order became the winner of the valuable trophy, which was presented to his owner, Mrs. Evelyn Craiger of Maywood, by Oscar Mapes, private trainer for the Arthur T. Gait stable. Billy Wasson, seven-year-old pacing gelding owned by Hugh. K. Funderburg and driven by Jim Kealey, stormed to his third victory within a period of six days, equalling his own mark of 2:05% in defeating five fleet opponents in an Open Pace. . . Harry Burright, back again in the good sulky form that made him a favorite with harness fans from coast to coast, scored a double Friday, being behind Norway in his winning trip in a 23-class pace, the Wisconsin-owned sidewheeler getting a new mark of 2:08%, and behind the converted trotter, Doc Silk, owned by his wife, Margie... The five-year-old green pacer, Bonnie Pete, owned by Billy G. Riegle and Maynard Wolf of Greenville, Ohio and driven by Roy Riegle, won his second race last week, lowering his record to 2:08%. L. N. Meggitt of Clyde, Ohio, who trains and drives his own horses for the pleasure he derives from the sport, and does quite well in the financial department, too, opened his campaign at Hazel Park very auspiciously. Among his winners were his favorite pair, Lingo Direct 2:03% and Moore Volo 2:01%, by True Volo, who at the close of 1953 had won the substantial sum of 22,907.20, some of which was gleaned on the Chicago circuit last season. . . . Billy Direct 1:55, the incomparable world champion pacer, has sired 15 pacers in the charmed 2:00 circle; and the combined earnings of these 15 pacers is ,008,-551.23. . . . Silas C. Thompson, owner and breeder of the rising young sire, Jimmy Creed, sold the four-year-old pacing colt, Rimrock 2 2:03, to Mrs. A. D. Knapp of Jackson, Mich., for an undisclosed sum. Torch Key, with Warren Dennis at the reins, set a worlds record last week at Yonkers Raceway when he trotted the mile in 2:02%. Last season this trotter, owned by William Alberg from Glen Head, N. Y., set a 2:04% worlds record for three-year-old trotting geldings on the two-lappers. . . . First leg of the newest trophy in harness racing, the Triple Crown Trophy, will be the 0,000 free-for-all pace to be raced at Rosecroft Raceway on June 5. Then comes the 0,000 second leg at Laurel Raceway on June 15, with the final leg being the-0,000 free-for-all at Baltimore Raceway July 21. The trophy, being made by a prominent Washington jeweler, is valued at ,000 and will go permanently to the owner of any horse that wins all three events. A horse that wins twice will get the trophy for a year, with the best time to prevail for possession if there are three different winners. At the end of the last week there were seven pari - mutuel tracks operating, namely: Yonkers Raceway, Maywood Park, Hazel Park, Painesvillc Raceway, Rosecroft, Buffalo and Bay Meadows. ... Nifty Way, a double winner at this meeting with Lou H»i»uiie in l.ie suiky, won the first time out at Buffalo Raceway last week. . . . R. H. Kroenings ace trotter, Lord Steward, who made such an impressive debut here a few weeks ago after winning his engagement at Hazel Park, went to Buffalo to annex a ,000 free-for-all trot in the fast time of 2:03% with Dick Williams, his regular pilot, at the reins. Indications are that a record number of harness horses will be carrying eligibility certificates this year as the present total is well ahead of last years figures, according to TJSTA figures. At this time in 1953 there had been 10,082 certificates issued, compared with 10,670 for the same period this year. The USTA so far has processed 6,285 pacing requests, 4,385 for the trotters, and a total of 14,000 is expected.
